High density planting (HDP) enhances fruit crop production by allowing more plants per unit area, significantly increasing yields compared to traditional planting methods. This system, particularly beneficial for mango and apple cultivation, utilizes dwarfing rootstocks, specific training and pruning techniques to maximize growth and fruit quality while ensuring efficient land use and management. Canopy management and proper nutrient and water management are essential for optimizing productivity and maintaining plant health in HDP systems.

1. High Density Planting and its importance in
Fruit Crops
By
Sanjay Chetry
Ph.D. Scholar
ID:2020632001
Dept. of Fruit Science
Term Paper Presentation
Course: FSC 602 (Advances in Production of Fruit Crops)

2. High Density Planting (HDP)
Accommodating more number of plants per unit
area as compare to normal planting
Intensive form of fruit production; high relevance to
the food and nutritional security
Many fruit trees are now grafted on to size
controlling clonal rootstocks and planted at much
higher densities
Total yield per unit area of land is several times
more than low density planting as number of plants
is more in HDP

3. Types of HDP
Semi-intensive: 500-1000 trees/ha
Intensive: 1000-10,000 trees/ha
Super-intensive/Meadow orcharding: 20,000-1,00,000 trees/ha

4. Planting Densities
Low HDP <250 trees/ha
Moderate HDP 250 to 500 trees/ha
High HDP 500 to 1250 trees/ha
Ultra HDP >1250 trees/ha
Super HDP 20,000 trees/ha
Meadow Orchard >70,000 trees/ha

5. Best utilization of land and
resources
Higher yield per unit area
Higher economic return
Convenient farm mechanization
Easy harvest
Improved quality of harvest
Higher establishment cost
Professional and scientific
approach
Less life span
Labor intensive
Maintenance of plant architecture
becomes a tedious job.

6. Use of dwarfing rootstock and scion cultivars
Clonal rootstock
Training system
Pruning of plants
Use of Growth retardants
Light interception
Planting density
Canopy management
Key aspects of High Density Planting

7. Dwarfing Rootstock
Apple M27, M9, M26, M4, M7, MM106
Mango Vellaikolumbun, Olour
Guava Pusa srijan, P. friedrichsthalianum, P. pumilum
Ber Z. nummularia
Citrus Alemow, Trifoliate orange, Flying dragon
Pear Oregon 211, Oregon 249, Quince C
Plum St. Julien, Pixy
Dwarfing Scion
Apple Red Spur, Starkrimson, Gold Spur, Well Spur,
Oregon Spur, Silver Spur, Red Chief
Mango Amrapalli
Papaya Pusa Nanha
Peach Red Heaven
Sapota PKM 1 and PKM 1

8. Training and Pruning
Training of plants is shaping or adapting
them to specific forms so that they can
function more efficiently and effectively
Training includes tying, fastening, staking or
supporting over a trellis or pergola in a
certain fashion or some of its parts are
removed to provide specific framework
Pruning may be defined as the art and science
of cutting away a portion of the plant to
improve the shape
Principles of Training and Pruning
To influence its growth, to improve lumber,
flowering and fruitfulness to improve the
quality of the produce or to repair injury
1. Modification of apical dominance
2. Balance of root and shoot
3. Alteration of growth phases
4. Modification of environmental effects
Objectives of Training and pruning
1. To control the direction of growth
2. To develop a strong framework
3. To control the amount of growth
4. To influence productiveness
5. To improve quality of product
6. To utilize space efficiently
7. To increase the usefulness of the plant

10. Methods of Training Fruit Trees

11. Central Leader System
The main stem of the
tree is allowed to
grow uninterrupted
The first branch is allowed
to grow at 45-50 cm
height from the ground
Distance between
primary branches
is 15 to 20 cm
Less interception of light by lower
branches, they remain unproductive
The bearing is confined in the top
portion of the trees
This method is not suitable for high
altitude and hot arid places where
wind velocity is high
As the main stem grows continuously,
the tree attain robust shape

12. Open Centre System
Beheaded when the plant attains
the height of 40 to 50 cm
4 to 5 well scattered, arranged and well
distributed branches all around the stem
are selected
Better interception light by all the shoots
and all the branches are capable of
bearing flowers and shoots
Facilitates easy carrying out of
operations like harvesting and spraying
on the tree
In this system, the plant take a bowl
shape which provides a good base for
settling of frost
They attains less height
Not suitable for high altitude where frost
observance is common

13. Modified Leader System
This is intermediate form of central leader and open centre system and draws
the benefit of both the systems.
The main leader is allowed to grow for
few years until 6 to 8 scaffold branches
develop around the central leader
After that, it is headed back to a
height of 120 to 130 cm from ground
level
The first shoot is selected at a height of 40 cm from the ground and 4-5 branches at a
distance of 15-20 cm and placed around the main stem are selected.
The plant attains a moderate height
All retained branches receive ample light
and there is better production on the tree
This is very suitable and practiced almost in all
regions
Delayed Open Centre

15. Methods of Pruning
Heading back Removal of terminal portion of shoot leaving
basal portion intact
Thinning
Selective and complete removal of part of the
plant
Circular ring of bark measuring about 3 cm in
length is removed
Ringing or Girdling
Making a notch below a bud by removing a
wedge shaped piece of bark
Nicking
Making a notch above a bud by removing a
wedge shaped piece of bark
Notching

17. HIGH/ULTRA High DENSITY PLANTING IN MANGO

18. High Density Planting in Mango
High density planting (HDP) (5x5m) or ultra-high density planting
(UHDP) system (3x2m/4x2m) aims to make maximum use of land to
achieve high yields in the early periods of orchard along with ease in its
management.
Is a technique which has utilized all the resources optimally and thus,
increase the production per unit area as well as raises profit margin of
mango farmers
“Planting of more number of plants than optimum through
manipulation of tree size”
Imp**Adoption of High Density Planting (HDP) system with proper
canopy management practices coupled with drip-fertigation system is
highly essential to increase the productivity.

19. Why HDP/UHDP?
India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of
Mango but the average yield/ha in India is one of the
lowest in the world-even behind countries like
Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Productivity: India (9.66 MT/ha)
Brazil (16 MT/ha)
India rank first among Mango producing countries in the
world.
The export of fresh mango fruit is limited only to
Alphonso and Dashehari varieties, which accounts for
0.2 % of the total production.
UHDP combined with other sustainable agricultural
techniques, has the potential to yield 200% more produce
than that of the traditional method.

20. Causes of Low Productivity of Mango in lndia
1. Old and Senile Orchards
2. Traditional Planting System
3. Rainfed and less intensive Farming System
4. No canopy management

21. 1. Inefficient nutrient management
2. Improper orchard management practices
3. Greater losses due to insect, pests and diseases
4. Natural phenomenon like heavy rainfall, strong
wind velocity, hailstorm etc.
5. Unscientific method applied by farmers for
plucking the fruits and unaware about the quality
parameters for export Mango.
Other causes

22. Double hedge row system of planting (10 x 5 x 5 m) is the best planting
system for obtaining maximum number of fruits and the highest yield
per unit area. (Jasmine et al. 2009).
However, State Department has started recommending HDP with 5 x 5
m spacing for all commercial varieties. In South India, under tropical
condition, the following spacings have been practiced (Table 1).
Study of different planting system in Mango cv. Kalepad
at TNAU

23. ULTRA HIGH DENSITY PLANTING SYSTEM
Experiment conducted by TNAU in collaboration with Jain Irrigation
Systems Ltd (JISL), Udumalpet
Revealed that we can still go for closer spacing
of 3 x 2 m UHDP (674 plants/acre)
As the Cultivation Practices are very intensive,
high value varieties are recommended.
Pits of 1m3 are dugged and allowed to wither for
some weeks before filling with mixture of
planting media.
MEDIA
40-50 kg native soil,
0.5- 1.0 kg SSP
0.25 kg Neem cake
20 kg compost or 10 kg VC
10-15 g of Thimet/Furadon
Plantations are raised by using grafted saplings.
Graft joint should remain just above the ground
level.

24. Canopy Management in Mango
Canopy management is essential in HDP/UHDP system
1. To control size of the tree.
2. To strike a balance between vigour and productivity.
It starts from early months from planting.
Axil- The angle formed by a branch or leaf and the part of the
plant from which it arises.
Bud- An unexpanded flower or vegetative shoot.
Crotch- The angle between two branches or shoots near the
point of their union
Heading back- Cutting away a portion of the terminal growth of
a branch or shoot, usually to control the size of the tree or shrub.
Pinch- Removing a growing shoot or bud by pinching it between
the thumb and forefinger
Scaffold- A branch arising from the trunk.
Thinning out- When a shoot is entirely removed from the point
of its origin and no re-growth is allowed to occur from the cut
ends.
Trunk-The main woody stem of the tree
Water sprout- A vigorous shoot rising from auxiliary buds on
the trunk or older branches

25. When the plant height reaches 45-60 cm, the
terminal bud should be pinched at 5-6 cm
below the apex to encourage growth of
auxiliary buds
Ultimately the tree row will form a dome
shaped hedge
Training
After the growth from auxiliary buds 2-3
vigorous shoots are to be retained in different
directions at 15-20cm interval which will
develop as primary branches
After 4-6 months growth of primary branches,
they should be headed back at 45-60 cm
length to allow further growth of 4-5
secondary shoots on each branch, which in
turn will form tertiary shoots in due course
In many orchards, improper training
especially the formative pruning
resulted in overcrowding of branches
resulting in more incidences of hopper,
powdery mildew and anthracnose
disease etc.
Canopy management in young mango trees

26. Pruning is very essential and critical operation of HDP or UHDP to maintain fruiting
shoots and contain the canopy
Pruning
Pruning must be completed as soon as possible after harvest preferably before 15th
June in Central and Southern India
Tertiary branches have to be headed back in such a way that the plant height can be
maintained at 1.5 m and having 10-15 tertiary shoots
Cut ends to be pasted with Bordeaux paste or 2% Copper Oxychloride (COC)
suspension
About one month after pruning, thinning of newly emerged shoots is essential to
avoid excess shoots and overcrowding
On each tertiary shoots 3-4 new shoots are to be maintained

27. Important points to be borne while carrying out
canopy management in young Mango trees
I. Heading back
1.Age: 1 year
2.Time: Oct-Dec
3.Height: 40-60 cm from the ground
4.Emergence of new shoot: Spring
season (March-April)
II. For development of ideal open canopy
1. Thinning of excessive shoots (May).
2. Retain 4 well distributed shoots in all
directions (Primary branches)
III. Crotch angle: 45o
Bend the shoot if crotch angle is
small
IV. 2nd cutting of 1o branches
1.Stage: Mature shoot (green to
brown-7 to 8 months).
2.Time: Oct. to Nov.
3.Induces new growth: Spring
V. Thinning
1.Retain 2-3 shoots per primary
branch.
2.These shoots develop as
secondary branches.
This initial training results in open
and spreading canopy of trees.

28. Canopy management in Bearing Mango Orchards
Soil app. of PCB@1g a.i./m2 tree canopy
Limitation:
It can be practiced only under irrigated and well maintained
plantations.

29. Light pruning in one year followed by medium
pruning in the next year should be followed in
alternate years to maintain the tree size under control
Fig: Ultra-high density planting systems results in higher
productivity and maintenance of Mango trees

30. Important points to be borne while carrying out canopy
management in bearing trees
Identify uprightly growing
branches and thin them out for
increasing the productivity
Remove only one or two uprightly growing
branches from centre of tree to reduce tree height
significantly and increase light interception for
better photosynthesis
Cutting of uprightly growing branches should be
done during Oct-Dec from the base of their origin
Avoid bark splitting by giving
smooth cut
Protect branches with wide crotch
angle as they are more productive
In bearing mango trees, not >25 % biomass should
be removed at a time for better canopy
management; otherwise it results in excessive
vegetative growth
Under UHDP system,
1. Remove 10-15 % biomass annually during Oct-Dec
2. Increase light penetration inside the canopy
3. Removal includes criss cross branches, dead wood and diseased shoots
U
H
D
P

31. Nutrient and Water management
The success of mango production under HDP or UHDP also depends
upon proper nutrient and water management.
Irrigation management
Irrigation and fertilizer are provided through drip irrigation system.
Table
3:
Water
requirement
in
different
months
4

32. Bearing Trees (3rd year onwards)
Irrigation to be given at survival level during September 3rd week
to October to induce flowering.
The general recommendation is that if rainfall exceeds 10 mm in any one
day, suspend drip irrigation for the next 2 to 3 days.
First 2 years: One dripper of 4L/hr/tree.
3rd years onwards: Two drippers of 4L/hr/tree.
When 2 drippers are installed they should be placed 45 cm away from the
trunk
W
A
T
E
R

33. Application of fertilizer
Timing and number of schedule may vary with place to place depending upon
the flowering and fruiting season including the variety under cultivation.

34. Jain Irrigation Systems Limited recommends the following
fertigation schedule for UHDP mangoes (Soman 2009)

35. 3x2m/4x2m
Comparison between UHDP, HDP and Conventional Method of Planting

36. High Density Planting in Apple

37. Commonly used Rootstocks for HDP
Dwarfing/Semi-dwarfing M9, M26, M4, M7 and MM106
Meadow orchards M27
Spur types MM106 and MM109 for and M7
Non-spur types MM111
For J&K MM106

38. Training System followed in Apple for HDP
Ever since the introduction of dwarfing rootstocks, some efforts to standardize the
training system of dwarf trees have been made.
In the late fifties, when clonal Malling rootstocks were introduced in India, some
experimental dwarf plantations were raised as spindle bush, dwarf pyramids and
cordons.
Spindle bush raised on M9, M7 and M4
rootstocks are found to be the most suitable in the
agroclimatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh
Palmette is suitable on
sloppy lands with narrow
terraces
Spindle
Bush
Dwarf
Pyramid
Espalier Cordon Palmette

39. Spindle Bush
It is a small, conical, central leader tree of only 2m height and maximum diameter
of 1.5m.
Horizontal fruiting laterals are
trained from about 0.4m above
the ground
With little pruning and
horizontal bending of laterals,
these spindles start early
cropping
Dwarfing rootstock: M9
Semi dwarfing rootstock: M7 or
MM106 with spur type
cultivars

40. Steps in the development of Spindle Bush System
At the time of planting the, whip is
cut back to about 0.75 to 1 m
height from the ground
In summer, a no. of laterals develop
around the trunk, 3 to 4 primary branches
are selected with strong crotch angle
Those having angle <45o are tied down
with strings to hold them in horizontal
position
The bottom 45 to 60 cm are left
without any shoots
In this form, the selected branches are
much more closely spaced (10 cm)
The central leader is headed
severely headed back while the
side shoots are left unpruned
When 15 to 20 primary branches are
obtained, the central leader is headed back
(30 to 40 cm from the top most branch)
Subsequent winter pruning should
be followed
Note: No secondary branches are encouraged

41. Dwarf Pyramid
It is low headed, compact, central leader tree
The lowest branches arises at a distance of 30 to 35
cm from the ground
It has 20 to 30 primary branches well distributed in all direction around
the main stem
The central leader is retained throughout the life
The successive branches radiating at intervals along the main
leader, gradually diminishing in length from bottom to top,
giving the tree a pyramidal shape
The height of the tree is generally kept about 2m and the spread between 1 to 2 m
Spacing: 3-4 x 2-3 m
M9
M2
M4
M7
MM106
MM104
Starts early
production
from 3rd to
4th year
after
planting

42. Steps in the development of Dwarf Pyramid
The whip are cut back to about 50 cm a planting
First Winter
Laterals are cut back to 15-20 cm of the previous season’s growth
The central leader is cut back to about 20-25 cm of the
previous season’s growth
During growing point, when shoot most of the shoots are of pencil size,
firm and resistant to bending, summer pruning is done
Immature shoots are left untouched
Mature shoots are cut back to 5 to 6 leaves
The central leader is also left untouched
Later in summer season, the immature shoots are left unpruned
Second Winter
Any secondary growth resulted from summer pruning is cut back to a single good bud
The central leader is headed back to 20-25 cm of new growth

43.  The central leader is not
allowed to reach >2m height.
 Any blossom arising on the
central leader during the
early years are removed to
avoid bending of central
leader under the weight of
fruit
 In an ideal pyramid, the
lowest branches should attain
a length of 1m, the middle
branch- 60 to 75 cm and the
upper branches- 45 cm
cont…….
Dwarf Pyramid Tree (4 years from planting)

44. Espalier system of training It refers to support used for training trees
It consist of 3 to 6 tiers of horizontal
branches are trained to grow 1 ft apart from
one another at right angles to the main stem
Using poles, 3 to 6 rows of wires are
stretched one above the other
First row of wire at the height of 6o to
70 cm, second row 130 to 140 cm and
third row 200 cm from ground level.
Over these wires, the branches are trained in
both the directions, parallel to the ground

45. Vertical Axis in Apple
 500 1000 trees/acre ‐
 Dwarfing rootstocks
 Narrow pyramid shape with dominant central leader
 Max height of about 10 ft
 Few cuts made during the first few years after planting
Vertical Axis: Planting Year
Ideal tree has 4 branches evenly spaced and central leader
 Remove any branches within 18” of soil surface
 Remove branches that are at a narrow angle or unevenly
spaced around the leader
 The leader should also be tied to the post at this time

46. In early July, any branches that are at less than a 60-degree angle from the central leader
should be spread or tied down to this angle. Wire or plastic tree spreaders and other products
are available commercially.
When using cement weights, the branch initially should be weighted at slightly less than a
60-degree angle, since the branch angle will increase with time.
Upright sprouts that were not spread during July should be removed later in the growing
season or during dormancy. Tree weights can be removed from limbs any time after late
August.
Fig: (A) Limbs are spread in early July of the first growing
season to a 60-degree angle from trunk.
(B) Clothespins attached to weights can be used to spread
limbs

47. Vertical Axis: 2nd Year
In early spring of the second growing season, remove
vigorous shoots that compete with the central leader
Vertical Axis: 3rd Year
In the dormant season after the third year, prune the
lower branches of adjacent trees that have grown
together.
Maintaining Mature Tree
(A) To limit the height of the tree, the central leader
can be bent over and tied to the post, or
(B) Cut back to a less vigorous lateral branch to form
a new leader.

48. Meadow Orchard in
Guava

49. CISH, Lucknow

50. Component for Meadow Orchard System
Singh (2013)
 Dwarf
 Suitable to
market
 Varieties
 Root stock
 Plant utilize
maximum
light
 Suitable to
guava
 well fertile
 Near to
source
 Water
 INM
 IPM
 True to type
 Healthy
 Free from
disease &
pest
 Plant
trained for
making
dwarf
canopy

51. Establishing Meadow Orchard
Meadow Orchard System is a
new concept of guava planting
which has been developed for
the first time in India at Central
Institute for Subtropical
Horticulture , Lucknow
Planting
The planting is done at 2.0 m
(row to row) x 1.0 m (plant to
plant), which gives a density of
5000 plants ha-1.

52. First pruning
 The tree are pruned and trained three time in a year to allow
maximum production of quality fruit during the first year.
 A single trunk tree with no interfering branches up to 30-40 cm
from the ground level is desirable to make dwarf tree architecture
 After a period of 1-2 month of planting all the tree are topped at a
uniform height of 30-40 cm from the ground level initiation of
new growth below the cut and no side shoot or branch should
remain after topping.
 This is done to make a single trunk straight up to 40 cm height.

53. First pruning
Growth after first pruning
Topping at height of 30 to 40 cm from
the ground level

54. Second pruning
 After 15-20 days of topping new shoot emerge. In general, 3-4
shoot are retained from below the cut point after topping .
 As shoot mature generally after a period of 3-4 month, they are
reduced by 50 percent of their total length so that new shoot
emerge below the cut Point.
 This is done to attain the desirable tree canopy architecture and
strong frame work.

55. Second pruning

56. Third pruning
 The emerged shoot are allow to grow for 3-4 month before they
are again pruned by 50 per cent. After pruning, new shoot emerge
on which flowering take place.
It is emphasized that shoot pruning is done thrice a year. This
leads to desired canopy development. Though fruiting starts in the
same year.
Pruning is continued so that plants remain dwarf. After a year,
pruning operation is done especially in May-June, September-
October and January-February.

57. Third pruning

58. A. Initiation of new shoot and flowering after shoot pruning
B. Re-pruning of shoot (above the fruiting point) of shoot for initiation of new shoot
C. New shoot emerge after re-pruning and flowering take place
A B C

59. Pruned tree is heavily Fruiting

60. Steps involved in Meadow Orchard
CISH, Lucknow

61. Continue shoot pruning (50%) on tree every year
Shoot initiate and flowering take place
Further Prune the shoot after 3-4 month of emergence (cutting back to 50%
of their total length)
Multiple shoot emerge below the cut end
Prune the shoot after 3-4 month of emergence (cutting back to 50% of their
total length)
Retain 3 to 4 shoot only
New shoot emerge below the cut surface
Top tree height of 30-40 cm from the ground level after 1-2 month of planting
Field planting (2×1m)
Meadow Orcharding
Singh (2008)

62. Singh (2008)
cont....

63. Back pruning 50 per cent removal of entire plant

64. Growth pattern and fruiting under meadow orchard
1st year 2nd year

65. Growth pattern and fruiting under meadow orchard
3rd year 4th year

66. CISH, Lucknow

67. Maximum fruiting branches.
Minimum structural branches.
Better utilization of solar radiation.
Increase the photosynthetic efficiency.
Due to the dwarf tree minimum operation cost.
More trees per unit area leading to higher income.
Advantage of Meadow Orcharding

68. Attributes Traditional system Meadow system
Bearing After two years From first year
Production
Average yield is 12-20 t
ha-1 Average yield is 40-60 t ha-1
Management
Difficult to manage due to
large tree size
Easy to manage due to small tree
size
Labour
requirement
Requires more labour Requires less labour
Production cost
Higher cost of production Lower cost of production
Quality
Large canopy, poor
sunlight penetration and
poor quality fruits
Small canopy better air and
sunlight penetration ,minimum
disease incidence and high
quality fruit with good colour
development.
Comparison between traditional system and meadow orchard system of
guava

69. THANK YOU